I'm having a bit of trouble getting my large savannah monitor (3.5 feet) back into his cage as I can never seem to get the proper grip after holding him for a while. He comes out fine (I pick him up from the base of his tail and under his neck for full support) and I bring him against my chest, fully supported (but not restrained) and he'll usually fall asleep after about 10 minutes of petting. Problem is I can't hold him forever and when I do move to get him back in he starts to panick like I'm going to drop him, it's tough getting him off my chest (especially with his nails on my shirt) and when I finally do he's already scared from the move from my chest back to his cage. A little more petting (behind his ears) he finally leans into it and starts closing the eye by where I'm petting him. Same process all over again though when I have to put him back in the cage next time. (I usually take him out a couple times a day.)
Extremely healthy and tame savannah monitor.
Any advice on handling - especially when putting them back in the cage (to get them off your chest and so they still feel supported) would be appreciated.
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Best way to put a large monitor back in his cage?
Replies (6)
I pick my albigs up by the base of tail and hip area and under the shoulder area, both are larger, and can be a challenge to pick up or hold unless they feel confident about how you are holding them.
Two things I can think of that you might try. After you get tired of holding him, see if he will go back in his cage willingly by bending and tipping your body so he's faced toward the door. He might just go in. If no, try sitting down and shifting him down onto your lap. If he'll go for this, you'll have him in a better position to pick him up in the same manner that you do when you get him out.
Good luck,
Leslie
Thanks for the advice but I have my cage about at about chest height, it gives myself a better view of my savannah and him a better view of me. I had the cage on the floor at first but I figured it'd make the savannah feel a little more secure if he was on the same level as I was, so he didn't see me looking way down on him in the cage.
Actually, my enclosure is up high, too. This really makes it easy to ease them back into it. Just hold it on your chest and direct the front half into the enclosure. Mine appears a bit concerned about falling if held out in front of me, but will go right in when given a clear path off my chest or shoulder.
Leslie
Best way, is to lay it on your stomach. Then make a backward bridge leaning towards the enclosure. Make sure you flick your tongue as he approaches as this will call him toward the enclosure.
No seriously, just grab it and put it in. It's not a 10 ft gator your dealing with.
Funny.. I could easily "just grab it and put it in" but I want my savannah to feel comfortable with me and trust me and that means holding him the right way so he feels secure and comfortable - which is fine until I go to put him back in the cage. I work too hard at daily handling and taming my lizards to lose all that time I might spend - such as 2 hours of handling - just to have him get scared at the LAST MINUTE of putting him back in the cage! I will probably have to lower my tank to more towards stomach-height so I dont have to reach up so high to get him back in.
